Where They Found Her by Kimberly McCreight

The tiny body of a newborn baby girl is found half buried in a wooded area near the Essex Bridge in Ridgedale, New Jersey. The main character, Molly Anderson, who used to be a lawyer, but who is now a reporter for the local "Ridgedale Reader" newspaper, is sent to the scene when the usual crime reporter is out having minor surgery. The problem is -- Molly has barely recovered after a breakdown she experienced when she recently had a stillbirth delivery. So, she's fragile and emotional but feels that writing this story will help her get her small family back on track. Husband Justin - who teaches at the university -- and toddler daughter Ella, are supportive. Absolutely no one has any idea whose baby this might be. There are no clues, and apparently no recently pregnant woman with a missing infant. The local police chief investigates. The medical examiner hasn't released cause of death.

The narrative shifts to include the points of view of other women in the small town. More characters are introduced and the story line becomes quite complicated as the reader tries to figure out who the baby belongs to and who the father is and what happened that fateful night. Flashbacks that use nicknames further confuse. There are red herrings galore but most readers will be able to figure out the big reveal well in advance.

I chose this because I had enjoyed Kimberly McCreight's first novel, RECONSTRUCTING AMELIA. I would have to say that I didn't care for this one as much, and never developed any connection to the many one-dimensional characters. The ending was lifetime movie worthy and I was disappointed by the pat and predictable resolutions of the conflicts and problems. No surprises.

I'd read another by this author and would recommend it to anyone interested in a mystery that doesn't have grisly murders or intense suspense.

AMAZON VINE